JANUARY WEEK 5
Welcome to week 5 of Rooted's Old Testament reading plan. This week, we will continue our reading of Genesis, covering chapters 18-22. These chapters continue the story of Abraham through his intercession for Sodom, the birth of Isaac, and his willingness to sacrifice Isaac.
Discussion Questions:
As you read this week, here are some questions to help you explore the truths contained in these chapters.
• Is anything too difficult for the Lord? (Gen. 18:13-14). What significance does that have for us when the Lord gives us a task to do?
• What value did Abraham’s prayer for Sodom (Gen. 18:22-33) have? (Gen. 19:29)
• What is the relationship between Abraham and Sarah? (Gen. 20:12)
• How long had Abraham been waiting for Isaac, the child of promise? (Gen. 21:5) See Genesis 12:4.
• How would you have responded to the test Abraham faced? (Gen. 22:1-3)
Some Answers to Last Week's Questions:
• When Abram and Lot split up, why did Lot choose the plain of the Jordan? (Gen 13:10-11). Why might that not have been such a good idea? – It had good land for grazing his animals. And the lure of the cities may have contributed to the appeal. But getting entangled with those cities cost him nearly everything he had.
• Who was Melchizedek? (Gen 14:18-20) – The king of Salem and priest of God Most High. We know nothing else about him. But he became a type (picture) of the high priesthood of Jesus (Hebrews 7).
• What is the significance of Abram’s belief and God’s declaration? (Gen 15:6) See Romans 4:1-5 for help with this. – He served as a model for salvation. We are saved by faith, not by what we do. And God considers us righteous (without fault in His eyes) when, like Abraham, we come to him in faith, trusting in and acting on what He has told us.
• What do you think of Sarai’s suggestion that Abram sleep with her maidservant? (Gen. 16:1-3) See https://biblehub.com/topical/s/sons_of_his_concubines.htm - While this is considered highly immoral in much of the world today, it was a very accepted practice in the world Abraham lived in. Jacob practiced this as well, taking the maid-servants of his two wives as concubines and having children by them.
• What was the significance of circumcision? (Gen. 17:9-14) – It became a sign of the covenant God had established with Abraham. It marked a man as being a part of God’s people. It is, in some respects, similar to baptism today.
Helpful Resources:
• Rooted Facebook Group for online sharing and further exploration
• Bible Project Old Testament overview videos
• Bible Gateway, a Bible app with many translations and some other free helps
• A Clay Jar Devotionals
Discussion Questions:
As you read this week, here are some questions to help you explore the truths contained in these chapters.
• Is anything too difficult for the Lord? (Gen. 18:13-14). What significance does that have for us when the Lord gives us a task to do?
• What value did Abraham’s prayer for Sodom (Gen. 18:22-33) have? (Gen. 19:29)
• What is the relationship between Abraham and Sarah? (Gen. 20:12)
• How long had Abraham been waiting for Isaac, the child of promise? (Gen. 21:5) See Genesis 12:4.
• How would you have responded to the test Abraham faced? (Gen. 22:1-3)
Some Answers to Last Week's Questions:
• When Abram and Lot split up, why did Lot choose the plain of the Jordan? (Gen 13:10-11). Why might that not have been such a good idea? – It had good land for grazing his animals. And the lure of the cities may have contributed to the appeal. But getting entangled with those cities cost him nearly everything he had.
• Who was Melchizedek? (Gen 14:18-20) – The king of Salem and priest of God Most High. We know nothing else about him. But he became a type (picture) of the high priesthood of Jesus (Hebrews 7).
• What is the significance of Abram’s belief and God’s declaration? (Gen 15:6) See Romans 4:1-5 for help with this. – He served as a model for salvation. We are saved by faith, not by what we do. And God considers us righteous (without fault in His eyes) when, like Abraham, we come to him in faith, trusting in and acting on what He has told us.
• What do you think of Sarai’s suggestion that Abram sleep with her maidservant? (Gen. 16:1-3) See https://biblehub.com/topical/s/sons_of_his_concubines.htm - While this is considered highly immoral in much of the world today, it was a very accepted practice in the world Abraham lived in. Jacob practiced this as well, taking the maid-servants of his two wives as concubines and having children by them.
• What was the significance of circumcision? (Gen. 17:9-14) – It became a sign of the covenant God had established with Abraham. It marked a man as being a part of God’s people. It is, in some respects, similar to baptism today.
Helpful Resources:
• Rooted Facebook Group for online sharing and further exploration
• Bible Project Old Testament overview videos
• Bible Gateway, a Bible app with many translations and some other free helps
• A Clay Jar Devotionals